Chapter 14: He likes me!

"We'd like to welcome you all to today's showcase of our newest designs." Halibel politely greeted the group of investors that had come in to witness the showcase of their new car.

There was about ten investors there. They were on the small racing track outside of Karakura, the garages an everything necessary for vehicle testing. The group of investors were seated in a stand that would let them observe the tests with keen eyes to see if they approve or disapprove of putting up investments for more production.

"Mmm. Always a pleasure to see you Mrs. Starrk." A man said, his false polite tone sending shivers down Halibel's spine but she kept herself calm. Why did he have to come in today? Couldn't he have just sent one of his subordinates as usual? If Ulquiorra...no if Shiro meets him Ulquiorra and Shiro's relationship would probably end before it even started!

"Likewise Aizen-sama." Halibel said in a respectful tone though on the inside she wanted to throttle the man. She had witnessed something when Ulquiorra had come in that early. He was looking as composed and immaculate as ever but he was clutching a lunch bag like it was his everything. When she asked she nearly lost herself and pinched his cheeks for he actually blushed, if only a little.

"Mr. Kurosaki...was kind enough to make me...lunch." He had told her trying to regain his lost composure and she found it to be the cutest she had ever seen him since he was a child.

If things were progressing as she thought, she didn't want this man to ruin everything!

Sõsuke Aizen. A young and successful business man as well as the owner of the popular banking and accounting braches known as, Las Noches Banks, or LNB, as they're publicly known. There's at least one branch of it in every section of Japan. ATMs withstanding. He was also considered one of the top eligible bachelors of the year by many popular gossip magazines, with good looks that'd compete with a model's and intellect to rival many scientists. The man was the whole package as they say and this whole package had an interest in Ulquiorra.

Halibel knew of their relationship as sex friends, being the younger man's PA, but she also knew that Aizen would actually like more from the raven.

Why do things have to be so complicated?

"Hey there Hal!~ Where's Ulquiorra at?" The sound of a familiar voice made Halibel cringe.

Gin Ichimaru. Aizen's one and only protégé. His partner in almost everything and also the slimiest fox Halibel had ever come across. He personally doesn't care about anything or anyone as far as she could tell, except for his best friend Rangiku. Kami knows she hated his slimy smile more than anything.

"Why yes Mrs. Starrk. Where could Mr. Cifer be? I would very much like to have a word with him. He cancelled our meeting last night and I just want to be sure he is alright." Aizen asked with that fake pleasantness in his voice, his smile as cold and terrifying as his brown eyes.

"He's currently tending to our drivers. He'll be with us in a moment." Halibel informed them as she noticed a very important man walking towards their seats, bodyguards in suits and sunglasses all around him, her eyes widening a fraction once she realized who it was.

She immediately left Aizen and Gin's sides to greet the man.

"Mr. Jaegerjaquez. You are welcome." Halibel bowed slightly to the CEO of Espada Inc. The boss of the entire company. The most important person in the whole area.

"Mrs. Starrk. Pleasant as always." Chlodwig Jaegerjaquez said simply in Japanese, his thick German accent showing as he spoke. The richest man in Japan and the third richest man in the world. A powerful man with an intimidating aura, standing at the height of 6'5", with eyes as blue as the sky with slight crow's feet at the corners and hair an inky blue, sharp jawline, well built physique and a charming smile that could take over any room. The man just screamed power and control, all he need to do was look at you and you'd have the urge to bow.

"Thank you sir." Halibel responded with a nervous smile.

He's a man anyone would strive to be. He's a celebrity known all over the globe, his charm getting many women to beg him to get in their beds and his charisma making every paparazzi fall for him. He is also by far the scariest man Halibel had ever met.

"Tell me, why isn't Ulquiorra greeting me Mrs. Starrk?" He asked as he glared down at Halibel making the woman gulp. Great. He's in a bad mood.

"He's making sure the drivers are well suited and prepared for their performance. He wants everything to be to your liking." Halibel said respectfully as she led the man to his seat, his bodyguards standing right behind him like he was some President or Ambassador.

"I'm sure they will be." Mr. Jaegerjaquez grunted, his eyes only sparing a glance to the woman who's eyes didn't waver from his intense stare, no matter how short of a time they were directed at her.

"Could you fetch him and get all this started? I'm a busy man and I do not have all day." Chlodwig growled, sounding almost like Grimmjow but even more intimidating and a more mature voice. Halibel nodded once and left the stand to do as he said.

As she walked towards the garage she spared a glance back at the stand and noticed Aizen was conversing with the CEO with that cold and calculating smile on his face.

This just doesn't seem like a good day.

"What's the highest speed it can go?" Starrk asked as he checked the engine one more time and made sure everything else was in order.

"271 mph. Faster than a Bugatti Veyron Super Sport." Shiro answered with that serious expression Ulquiorra just wasn't used to but Kami, did he find it sexy.

"How's the engine?" Momo asked as she checked on the other car that'd be going against Shiro's. It was their last product from the year before. It was known as the Crimson Sport X50. It was their best one till date and they were going to surpass that with the new car that Shiro had practically built himself. Most of the production crew were in awe at how skilled their superior was with vehicles, helping them to meet the deadline so quickly.

"Probably my best work yet." Starrk responded with a small smirk on his usually tired face as he looked at the engine he had built up himself in his spare time before Shiro arrived to their office. He closed the hood of the car and wiped his greasy hands on his overalls.

"Damn. I'm so fucking nervous." Shiro muttered as he covered his face with his hands. He was wearing the standard racing suit which was navy blue with some white stripes, his long hair was tied repeatedly by the girls into a bun so that he could put on the helmet and he had on black boots.

He's so beautiful and without even trying. I want to just hold him and comfort him in some way.

"Hmm. I believe you will be exceptional." Ulquiorra told him as he walked up and stood in front of the anxious albino.

Shiro raised his head from his palms and looked down at Ulquiorra with a slight amount of fear in his eyes.

"What if...what if I messed something up? Like I didn't get the equilibrium right like some kind of rookie? Ulquiorra! I think I'm panicking." Shiro whined as he rested his head on the other's shoulder, trying to calm himself down by discreetly taking in the other's calming scent. Apples. That's what Ulquiorra smells like. Apples and something else entirely him. It's...soo nice.

Ulquiorra's breath hitched slightly but he quickly recovered and placed a comforting hand on the back of Shiro's head. "You are a very intelligent man...I personally believe that you would perform magnificently. So could you do me a favor? Calm down and do what you do best, amaze everyone." Ulquiorra told him softly. Shiro took a deep breath and nodded, his cheeks slightly warm from the praise he had received from Ulquiorra. Neither noticing the looks they were getting from the production slash mechanical team that were with them.

'Are they...that looks a little more than friends.'

'Has the boss ever been that kind?'

'I'm just glad he calmed Shiro-kun. The guy's too gorgeous for stress.~'

'They look cute together. I approve.'

'Ain't like your opinion matters anyways.'

'Not fair! I wanted to give Shiro-kun a hug too!~ For good luck.'

'Me too!~'

Ulquiorra grit his teeth in silent outrage that those...low lives wanted to touch his Shiro. Then he blinked. He blinked again, slower like he was trying to process his thoughts. I'm too far gone. From what I can tell, these feelings I seem to have caught for Shiro aren't going anywhere. I have accepted my fate.

Shiro pulled out of Ulquiorra's warm embrace and sent the other a grateful smile before it turned into a grin towards his amazing coworkers.

"Alright guys!~ Group hug! And yes that includes you too Starrk my man!" Shiro said with a small giggle when he noticed Starrk trying to shy away.

Just before the others piled on top of them, Shiro opened his arms with a big toothy grin towards Ulquiorra, telepathically telling him to join in. Ulquiorra didn't even think about it, not about to miss the opportunity and wrapped his arms around the taller man's waist, burying his head into Shiro's chest which only stunk of motor oil. He felt Shiro's toned nd warm arms wap around his waste warmly but also seemed friendly. Ulquiorra wined slightly at the thought of just being Shiro's friend forever. It'd kill him slowly, like a torturous poison.

"You guys are the best!~ Thank you so much!~" Shiro yelled with compassion in his voice, that wide happy grin on his face as both he and Ulquiorra were wrapped in the slightly big group hug.

Before anyone could say more, Halibel marched into the garage, looking like she desperately wanted to punch something.

The group dispersed slowly at the look in her eyes, knowing it was going to be something serious. Ulquiorra even tried to get out of Shiro's grip but the albino held him close with a cheeky smile on his face, obviously not reading the room's tension.

"Mr. Cifer. Shiro-kun." Halibel greeted with a tightness in her voice that Shiro picked on, his smile falling into a look of confusion.

"What is it Hal?" Shiro asked with a look of concern that made him look like an adorable puppy that Hal's angry expression softened.

"It's...There's...I mean-Shiro-kun, could you please let Mr. Cifer face me?" Halibel asked with a sigh, though a slight twitch of her lip cause she found it slightly adorable that Shiro was holding unto Ulquiorra like he was a giant teddy bear.

"Oh. Okay." Shiro said with a small smile, not looking embarrassed or ashamed, as he removed his arms ever so slowly from around Ulquiorra's waist, not missing the small intake of breath he heard from Ulquiorra when his hands ghosted over the skin under his dress shirt. Ulquiorra immediately turned around so that Shiro wouldn't notice the small pink hue that appeared on his cheeks but Halibel, Starrk and even Momo saw it, earning him at least a month's worth of teasing.

"Thank you for that Mrs. Starrk. Now...what were you tryi-Mr. Kurosaki?" Ulquiorra called out to Shiro in a quitter voice, different from when he began addressing Halibel.

Shiro grinned widely. "Yesss?"

"Why are your arms around my waist? And also, explain to me why you're nuzzling my face?" Ulquiorra asked, his voice almost shaking but he was also angry with Shiro for acting so indecent in font of others that his eyebrow actually twitched noticeably.

Shiro's grin didn't even waver. "You're soo cuddly!~ Like a teddy!" Shiro responded like it was the most noticeable thing on the planet.

Ulquiorra sighed as some workers laughed at Shiro's response, some of them wondering why Ulquiorra doesn't just shove him away like he'd do to anyone that even breathed near him, none of them knowing that Ulquiorra's mind was in his version of his happy place.

Those arms...so seductively firm and strong and comforting and warm and God how they'd feel after we've gone under the sheets...ULQUIORRA CIFER! What has possessed you?!

"You guys are cute. But seriously Ulquiorra it's your fath-I mean uncle." Halibel said quickly, covering up her blunder so as not to piss off Ulquiorra.

Ulquiorra felt Shiro's arms stiffen almost as soon as he did. "He actually came?" Shiro asked in a nervous whisper, surprised that the biggest and most important man he had ever heard of was actually going to see him race. His nervousness came back like a sharp edged boomerang.

"What about Mr. Jaegerjaquez?" Ulquiorra asked carefully.

"He wants you guys to start. Like now. Another thing, why is Aizen here?" Halibel asked, her anger from before coming back.

Ulquiorra nearly cursed under his breath. He did not think the other would be coming today. He expected him to send just Gin. He would want to ask about him cancelling last night.

"I can honestly say I don't know. What did he tell you?" Ulquiorra asked, suddenly wanting to just stay in the safety of Shiro's arms all day and not face these people.

"Something about you missing your appointment for last night and wondering if you were okay. Which is absolute bull." Halibel said with a frustrated sigh, losing the business like manner as she rand a hand over her face.

"Who's Aizen?" Shiro asked as he looked down at the mop of black hair in his arms. Is he a friend of yours? Is he important? Then why did you come yesterday? I would've understood y'know?

"No time to explain. Shiro get in the car. Tell the other racer he should do the same. Mr. Jaegerjaquez wants this done now. Ulquiorra I need you out there. I can't handle this on my own." Halibel said with authority in her voice before she marched towards a her husband, grabbed a fistful of his shirt and pulled him down so their lips could meet in a rough kiss, waking Starrk up fully. (In more ways that one! ;)

"I needed that." Halibel said against his lips as she pulled away and walked out of the garage. Starrk just laid back on the bench but with a satisfied smile on his face. "I'm one lucky son of a bitch." He mumbled to himself before going back to sleep.

"Okay guys! You heard the woman! Get started!" Momo told them, just barely raising her voice but everyone got it.

Ulquiorra was slightly surprised when he felt Shiro's hands shaking. He turned around to see Shiro looking at everyone doing their thing with eyes barely wider than before but holding something that looked like panic.

Ulquiorra used his hand to squeeze the lower part of Shiro's face though gently, making the other make a duck face, and made him face hi, their eyes connecting. His eyes just make me want to drown in them...

"You need to calm down Mr. Kurosaki."

Shiro whined at the back of his throat as he shook his head slightly as if saying, 'I can't'.

Ulquiorra let go of his face and looked straight into his eyes, "Shiro..." Ulquiorra whispered his first name for the first time, making Shiro want to close his eyes and savor it but then thought Ulquiorra would think he was weird so he didn't.

"...Calm down...for me. You can do this easy. Just think about your brother." Ulquiorra tried the whole comforting thing but he had no idea what he was doing.

Shiro closed his eyes then and did as the other said, thought about his brother which he did but then other thoughts came in. Thoughts about Ulquiorra. Like how OCD he could be about alphabetical order. How he seems to care so much but barely shows it, but he could see it in the little things the other did. Like when he was sick this one day and Ulquiorra called saying that he hoped he was eating so that he could get back to work. The thing is, he was the only one that called. Shiro thought of how he'd do anything to actually see the other smile. He bet that it was gorgeous.

Well would you look at that. I think I've actually fallen. Was bound to happen. I mean have you seen that guy's set of legs?

Ulquiorra felt like he did something right when Shiro started smiling with his eyes closed. It was an adorable smile. Like the type one would see when a child looked up at the parents he/she loved dearly or the kind you see when someone is looking at the person they loved, at least that was what he could get from looking at people. He's never experienced those things.

"Are you ready now Mr. Kurosaki?" Ulquiorra asked as Shiro opened his eyes with a determined look and a smirk on his face.

He took a few steps closer to Ulquiorra before bending his head down so that they could be eye to eye easier.

"You bet!~ You know what else?" Shiro asked with a small giggle.

"What is it?' Ulquiorra asked looking at Shiro with a lost and confused expression, though he as breathless even if he hid it perfectly for Shiro's lips were so close.

Shiro grinned beautifully. Oh well. Life's full of risks anyways. Besides, it's no fun without them.

Shiro leaned closer to Ulquiorra's ear, his lips ghosting over the shell of it and Ulquiorra had no idea when his eyes had closed or why he breathed out so shakily.

"If I put on a great show, I'll be taking you out Saturday night." Shiro whispered seductively into Ulquiorra's ear, each word making his lips brush the raven's ear, earning him a shiver every time.

Ulquiorra's eyes shot wide open at that. He placed his hands on the others' shoulders and pulled him away to look into his eyes to see if he was lying or joking with him because he had found out how Ulquiorra felt.

"Excuse me?" Ulquiorra asked with pure confusion on his face, but Shiro also noticed how red his cheeks had gotten. Probably the reddest he had ever seen them.

Shiro grinned darkly. "See you out there L-quiorra!~" Shiro told him cheekily before surprising everyone that was watching the two, which was everyone though they hid it the best they could, and Ulquiorra as he placed a soft and lingering kiss on the raven's right cheek.

"Wh-what? Wh-why?" That was the first and the maybe the last time Shiro or anyone had ever heard Ulquiorra stutter.

Shiro laughed loudly as he turned around and walked towards his car. "Why he asks. Isn't it obvious?"

He lifted his helmet and before he put it one he showed Ulquiorra a small, shy and even embarrassed smile as he says to him in a voice that was trembling with fear and honesty.

"I like ya."

"Ulquiorra. Thank you for gracing us with your presence...Are you...okay?" Aizen started of strong but then his smile slightly faltered at the way Ulquiorra looked.

Ulquiorra had walked into the stands looking...almost dazed. Like he wasn't there.

He didn't respond and automatically took his seat between his uncle and Halibel, both of them looking at him with a raised eyebrow. Ulquiorra didn't even notice a thing.

He kissed me. His lips touched my face. They were s soft. How can a man with so much masculinity have such soft lips? His touch was so gentle too. He like me. He...like me? Could that have been a lie? No...that look and that smile means it wasn't. Oh...he really likes me. OH MY GOD! Shiro Kurosaki, the most beautiful and lively person I've ever met, like boring and emotionally stunted me! What...what did I say to make him like me? What did I do? I am sure that I was rather rude towards him at some points. Maybe he likes that sort of thing. Oh...God...He kissed me... And his thoughts went like that for a good ten minute before Chlodwig finally snapped him out of it.

"((What is wrong with you boy?! Speak!))" Chlodwig seethed in fluent German to the dazed boy sitting next to him, making Ulquiorra snap out of his thoughts.

Ulquiorra kept himself from jumping in surprise, even going as far as looking at his uncle with an unimpressed stare. "((Nothing you need concern yourself with uncle. Personal matter.))" Ulquiorra answered back in fluent Russian.

Aizen stared at the back of Ulquiorra's head with a look of contemplation, fully understanding what they were saying, wondering what Ulquiorra meant by personal matters. Would it have something to do with your cancelling on me last night my dear Ulquiorra?

"((Well then shouldn't I be more concerned? Considering you are of my relation? Why were you out the one to greet me?))" Chlodwig asked in German, his tone calmer than before as he looked down at his adopted son that always insisted that he never brought that up.

"((I was...helping a...a friend.))" Ulquiorra responded back in Russian, his eyes rolling to the other side as he tried to look inconspicuous.

Chlodwig looked at him in what he could only describe as surprise. Then his eyes narrowed in suspicion.

Aizen stared at the back of Ulquiorra's head with an out of character surprised expression himself. As far as anyone knew, Ulquiorra didn't have friends.

"((Really? I thought that people were a waste of time, energy and patience to deal with. Aren't you the same boy that told me you wished you lived in your own planet by yourself because everyone was too much of a nuisance for you to deal with, that most people didn't hold your interest for more than an hour. So excuse me if I find that excuse hard to believe. If it is true then what's so special about this friend?)) Chlodwig ranted in annoyance mainly because he had tried so hard to make Ulquiorra make friends when he was younger only to have someone do his job for him. He's supposed to be the supportive guardian dammit. e didn't even know if this friend was safe to be around.

"He's...different. Not like...anyone else." Ulquiorra said, sounding almost wistful, going back to Japanese almost unconsciously, as he looked down at the track as the drivers and crew finally came out with the cars.

Aizen's well hidden anger filled eyes noticed that Ulquiorra's eyes were fixated one particular driver, the one wearing green and black racing suit and seemed to have a very impressive build, even one slightly more impressive than his own. He figured he could give the other that mainly because he worked hard pretty much every day but other than that he was a lowly pauper trying to aim for a prince, his Ulquiorra.

The mystery man in a helmet and the racing suit, started waving frantically in Ulquiorra's direction, making the others in the stands look at Ulquiorra almost simultaneously. Ulquiorra nearly blushed but he stopped himself and rolled his eyes before looking away. He coughed into his hand before the smile threatening to bloom on his face came out and gave people heart attacks.

"A friend you say?" Chlodwig asked with a raised eyebrow, already thinking maybe it was more than simple friendship.

After Ulquiorra had expertly controlled himself, he sat back straight with his arms on his laps.

"A friend." He responded coolly. A picture of cool calm and collected all rolled into the one and only Ulquiorra Cifer.

He likes me. I feel like laughing...He actually likes me!

Sorry it took me so long to update!

Just went on a Supernatural marathon! Have not slept for two days straight! Best. Show. Ever! No SPOILERS! Or I swear I'll block you!

I kinda cut this chapter short because it's pretty long so the next chapter would be part two of this!

Please leave a review if you honestly have an opinion of it! Reviews make me soooo happy! Criticism is also accepted, though do try to hold back on the hits to my ego, I bruise easy.

Ciao from,

Grimmjowislife.